Tag Archives: Perenti

The ABB approach to drive positive change across the mining sector

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“A green mining industry is not science fiction”, industrial technology giant ABB said earlier this year, pointing to the role it’s been playing in electrifying and automating energy-intensive mining processes for more than a century. Today’s technology presents even more actionable net zero emission pathways, according to ABB Process Industries Division President, Joachim Braun.

Speaking with Mining Beacon Editor, Richard Roberts, ahead of this year’s International Mining and Resources Conference and Expo (IMARC), in Sydney, Australia, Braun says a new ABB mining survey and report highlights a high level of industry planning to achieve significant net-zero transformation over the next five years.

The report will be a focus of an exclusive executive roundtable at IMARC, where industry leaders will converge to discuss strategies for achieving net zero emissions by 2030.

Richard Roberts: Next year is your 30th with ABB? Congratulations on your career so far.

Joachim Braun: Thank you. It’s been an incredible journey with ABB and the rapid pace of change in our industries is especially exciting.

Richard Roberts: It seems like technology has been over the past decade, or is about to be, transformative for engineering, manufacturing and other companies and industries. I read in the latest ABB Review how the company’s eMine simulation tools are enabling advanced mine fleet and power/renewable power integration simulation and modelling. How would you characterise the way in which these tools are changing the way you interact with customers, and how quickly has this happened?

Joachim Braun: Technology has been transformative, particularly in mining, and the eMine Simulation Solution is a great example. It allows customers to simulate renewable energy integration, fleet operations and power systems, optimising efficiency before making investments.

This data-driven approach is a game-changer, enabling customers to model scenarios, mitigate risks and optimise operations. Today, ABB is seen as a strategic partner to the mining industry, providing not only technology but deep expertise to guide customers through their energy transition.

Richard Roberts: In terms of your partnerships with top-tier mining and metals clients, how deeply embedded are these solutions? How central are they to shaping current and future alliances?

Joachim Braun: Our mining systems and solutions are deeply embedded in our partnerships with customers and others in the industry. But it’s not just about technology, it’s about building strong relationships with mining companies, OEMs and technologists. Collaboration is key because it allows us to bring expertise together and ensure the solutions we develop are aligned with real-world challenges. Our partnerships, like those with Perenti and IGO, evolve based on market conditions and shared goals.

Richard Roberts: You have talked in various forums and media about how quickly mining/metals is evolving as a technology adopter, among the process industries you deal with. Off a low base, it must be said. Which technologies do you see as being the most impactful in the sector in the next five years, from a “double materiality” perspective? How impactful will they be?

Joachim Braun: Mining is at a pivotal point and technologies like electrification, automation and digitalisation will have the greatest impact.

For example, our Gearless Mill Drives (GMD) are key for scaling copper production, which is critical for the energy transition. Integrating clean energy and AI-driven optimisation will enable the industry to extract more while reducing environmental impact, focusing on both sustainability and efficiency.

While mining has been slower to adopt certain technologies we’re seeing a shift.

A report which ABB will soon release, based on insights from 412 experts, shows that 53% of mining professionals are planning significant transformation in the next five years.

This is a unique opportunity for mining to leapfrog older stages of digitalisation and implement the most advanced solutions available today. ABB plays a key role in helping companies lay the automation foundation needed for this transition.

Richard Roberts: Mining, generally, is having to build more infrastructure to access remote deposits. It is moving more material to access lower grade, deeper deposits. This is not the way minerals/metals will help reshape the world’s energy, transport and urban landscapes, particularly with demand for primary minerals and metals climbing. Using more information, as others have said, can enable you to use less of other inputs…“More bits and bytes and not more kilos and litres”. How optimistic are you that we get to that world soon enough? Why?

Joachim Braun: As surface deposits deplete and ore grades decline, mining is increasingly moving deeper underground and processing more material for the same yield. This requires smarter solutions. Mine hoists, like those we’ve installed at BHP, are critical for accessing these deeper deposits sustainably. They provide an automated, electrified alternative to truck haulage, which is inefficient at great depths.

For example, at BHP, our hoist increased production from 4.5 Mt to 6.5 Mt annually while lowering emissions. This shows how automation and electrification can optimise operations and reduce environmental impact.

I’m optimistic that we can achieve the energy transition in time, but it requires collective action and the right approach.

This isn’t the first energy transition, but it’s one we must get right. We already have many of the technologies needed, though they are only now reaching the scale and capacity required for the future.

Take electrification. ABB electrified the first mine hoist in the 1890s, but clean energy wasn’t feasible back then. Today we’re seeing the potential of technologies like lithium-ion batteries which, despite their progress, are still in their infancy compared to more established industries.

Success depends on collaboration across the entire supply chain. Miners are leading the way but we need open partnerships, breaking down silos to drive real progress. Only by working together can we achieve our goals and create a sustainable future.

Richard Roberts: You’ve talked a lot about the need for, and power of, collaboration. ABB is working with mining and metals customers, and with mining OEMs/service companies such as FLSmidth, Perenti and Komatsu.

Joachim Braun: Electrification in mining, once thought impossible, is now a reality and a key part of the industry’s push towards sustainability.

Today, no globally-focused mining company can ignore electrification. It’s essential to meet 2030-2050 energy transition targets. ABB’s solutions, like the eMine Trolley System, have helped customers reduce diesel consumption by up to 90%, showing how quickly we can decarbonise operations.

Collaboration with partners like FLSmidth, Perenti and Komatsu has been vital in driving these innovations. While site operators focus on productivity and equipment availability, decarbonisation is becoming a shared goal, enabled by technology.

Richard Roberts: You said, with the recent Komatsu announcement, collaboration across the mining industry had “already been proven to enable real and faster progress and we look forward to driving what happens next”. What are the best examples, in your view, of where “real and faster progress” has occurred where we would not have otherwise seen such progress?

Joachim Braun: Electrification and automation have been game-changers in improving safety and efficiency, especially in remote and harsh mining environments.

A great example is the eMine Robot Automated Connection Device (ACD), developed with Boliden, BHP and Komatsu. This automated, high-power truck charging system eliminates the need for human intervention, maximising machinery uptime and boosting site productivity.
Another example is our automated robotic remote blasting loader, which just won gold at the Euromines Safety Awards 2024. Developed with Boliden, LKAB and explosive suppliers, this technology automates the dangerous process of charging blasting holes, improving safety by removing workers from hazardous environments.

These innovations wouldn’t have progressed as quickly without strong collaboration, proving the power of partnership in driving real progress.

Richard Roberts: What do you hope “happens next” by way of a “difference to the way mining companies operate their sites in the near future”?

Joachim Braun: In the near future I hope to see mining companies fully embrace the opportunities presented by electrification, automation and digitalisation.

Over the past two years working with eMine we’ve gained invaluable insights from collaborating with customers and partners. We now have a clearer understanding of where the mining industry stands in terms of technology adoption and are better equipped to tailor our solutions.

Looking ahead, automation and digitalisation will be crucial for addressing challenges like sustainability and workforce evolution. These technologies will not only optimise operations but also make mining a more attractive and inclusive industry. The focus is now on implementing these changes quickly and effectively.

With the right approach we can drive positive change across the sector.

International Mining is a media sponsor of IMARC, taking place in Sydney, Australia, from October 29-31

Barminco secures A$157m underground contract extension with IGO at Nova

Base metals, Mine operation news, Mining services, , , , , , , ,

Perenti has announced that its underground mining business, Barminco, has signed a contract extension with IGO Ltd to continue mining at the Nova underground nickel mine in the Fraser Range of Western Australia.

Barminco’s involvement at the Nova mine commenced in early 2015 when it was a greenfield site. This contract extension is worth A$157 million ($106 million) and runs for 29 months.

Mark Norwell, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of Perenti, said: “We are immensely proud that Barminco has been present since the beginning of the Nova operation. This contract extension is a testament to the strength of our relationship with IGO and underscores our commitment to collaborating with our clients to generate value together.”

Gabrielle Iwanow, President of Contract Mining at Perenti, added: “Barminco is excited to continue the delivery of the world-class critical minerals operation at Nova. The ongoing safe and reliable mine production showcases how a collaborative approach and willingness to explore innovative solutions can deliver positive outcomes, even amidst significant market challenges.”

In Independence Group’s 2024 financial year, Nova achieved total production of 20,806 t of nickel, 9,922 t of copper, and 735 t of cobalt at a cash cost of A$3.99/lb Ni (payable).

Tax incentives needed to drive electrification of Australia’s mining fleet: EMC report

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The mining industry is at a crossroads as latest industry insights reveals that electric mines can operate at costs between 56% and 88% lower than their diesel-powered counterparts.

However, just 60% indicate that their next mining operation will transition to electric.

Nearly all (84%) of industry professionals believe that Australia’s mining sector will not meet the government’s goal of achieving 82% renewable energy penetration by 2030.

These startling numbers were published within the ‘Electric Mine Consortium: 2020 to 2024: What we learnt from four years of a radical experiment in cross-company collaboration to build a zero particulae and zero carbon mining industry’ report.

The primary barrier to adopting electric equipment, cited by 76% of miners, is the high capital cost, which is rated 1.5 times more significant than the next major concern: confidence in operational effectiveness.

The report went into this a little more, stating: “There are several reasons why Australian miners have not adopted battery-electric underground load and haul equipment, while around 15% of Sandvik’s Canadian and European order book is battery electric.

“The overriding reason is a lack of clear policy support in Australia. Canada has had clear air quality standards for some time, leading most famously to the Borden mine’s first move to electrify. In support of this are a price on carbon, a 30% capital tax write-off for electric equipment and supporting infrastructure and substantial grants to fund early fleet adoption, such as the Canadian Government’s funding of A$12 million ($8.3 million) to fully electrify Glencore’s Onaping Depth mine.

“In contrast, Australia maintains a generous diesel fuel tax credit that will cost Australian taxpayers A$37 billion between 2024 and 2030.

“For BHP’s iron ore operations in 2023 alone, this tax credit is worth over A$500 million. Unsurprisingly, while BHP has committed to large electrification of its Chilean fleet of 200-plus heavy haul trucks before 2030, any electrification targets in Australia are for the period 2030 to 2040. This is seemingly a policy difference laid bare. As of 2024, Chile imposes a tax on diesel for miners (of around $0.12 per litre), whereas Australia does not.

“The Australian mining industry is also not subject to a universal price on carbon, at any price, unlike Canada and Europe. The closest policy instrument is the Safeguard Mechanism, but this covers only 200 facilities in Australia, of which most are coal mines or LNG facilities. At a 100,000 t C02-e per annum threshold, only a small handful of large iron ore mines are captured as well as very large base metals mines
like Olympic Dam and Newmont’s Telfer gold mine, and downstream alumina and aluminium processing facilities. The vast majority of mines are not subject to a compulsory carbon market.

“In a more subtle way, our mining regulations are also a major challenge to electrification. In Western Australia, ventilation regulations do not differentiate between diesel or electric equipment, which means that the ventilation benefits from using electric equipment, estimated to be anywhere from 20 to 40%, cannot be captured.”

In light of these findings, the industry is urging the government to implement tax incentives to accelerate the decarbonisation of mine sites.

“With diesel particulates posing severe health risks such as lung cancer, and with current Australian standards being over 6x higher than level considered safe by Safe Work Australia for underground miners, electrification is not just an economic opportunity; it’s a health imperative,” Graeme Stanway, Chair of the Electric Mine Consortium, said. “Investing in cleaner technologies can eliminate these hazards and support our commitment to sustainability.”

This is also where the EMC come up with their operating cost reduction assumptions (see table below):

Base case Scenario 1

New technology, new economics

 Scenario 2

Global carbon pressure

 Scenario 3

Technology and external pressures align
Fleet capex OEM quotes Sep 2024

BEV up to 50% higher

 BEV matches diesel equivalent OEM quotes Sep 2024

BEV up to 50% higher

 BEV matches diesel equivalent
Fleet lifecycle  

15,000 hrs

 

 20,000 hrs 15,000 hrs 20,000 hrs
Battery performance Sep 2024 performance 30% improvement Sep 2024 performance 30% improvement
Employee costs Typical Australian labour rates 5% labour cost reduction 5% labour cost reduction 5% labour cost reduction
Energy costs Diesel $AU1.20/L Diesel $AU1.20/L Diesel A$1.70/L

(Aus rebate removed)

 Diesel A$1.70/L

(Aus rebate removed)
Product premium Gold price US$2,000/oz US$2,000/oz +5% premium +5% premium
Carbon costs  

No carbon cost

 

 No carbon cost Carbon A$100/tCO2-e Carbon A$100/tCO2-e
 

Net present cost

 

 120% of diesel 88% of diesel 87% of diesel 56% of diesel

These findings are based on the first and most extensive collaborative financial modelling exercise on mine decarbonisation undertaken in the Australian mining industry, allowing executives to identify to granular detail the risks, opportunities and pathways to electrify.

Mark Norwell, Managing Director & CEO of Perenti, whose business recently teamed up with their client IGO and business partner ABB, to complete one of the first studies of converting an underground mine’s fleet from diesel vehicles to BEVs, said all stakeholders had a role to play in the shift to mine electrification.

“The study we recently conducted demonstrates that we are getting closer to an all-electric mine and that collaboration is the key to make it happen,” he said.

“We are optimistic that in time an electric underground mine will be the most economic and socially responsible mining method. The electrification of underground mines will deliver significant benefits to health, environment and cost.”

The CEO of Sandfire, Brendan Harris, noted, “Our purpose is to mine copper sustainably to energise the future, so we welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with industry peers to build a deeper understanding of electrification. Renewable energy already accounts for 73% of our electricity needs and we have a decarbonisation plan to reduce emissions by 35% by 2035 and achieve Net Zero emissions by 2050.”

Ivan Vella, Managing Director and CEO of IGO Limited, added, “Our collective journey toward decarbonisation will only be achieved through collaboration and cooperation across our industry. More than just helping demonstrate the value case for mine electrification, the EMC has facilitated the sharing of findings and been an effective advocate for our industry as we pursue our respective decarbonisation roadmaps.”

Context: Mining and environmental sustainability

  • The global mining industry contributes 8% of total emissions;
  • Over 80% of listed miners have committed to net-zero targets;
  • Currently, less than 10% of the Australian mining sector utilises renewable energy;
  • While 15% of Sandvik’s global haul truck production is battery-electric, no BEVs have been sold in Australia to date for on-going load and haul production; and
  • It is estimated 90% of the mining workforce will experience hearing impairment by age 50.

Specific areas of cost reduction

Transitioning to electric mines presents substantial benefits, including:

  • A 100% reduction in Scope 1 & 2 emissions for fully electric mines powered by renewables;
  • Up to 30% reduction in overall operating costs;
  • Up to 50% reduction in energy costs;
  • A 20% decrease in maintenance costs; and
  • A 30% reduction in ventilation costs.

Perenti and Sandvik to collaborate on underground diesel-electric equipment

Environmental, Mining equipment, Mining events, Power supply for mines, Sustainable mining, , , ,

Global mining services provider Perenti and Sandvik have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at MINExpo INTERNATIONAL® 2024 centred on developing cutting-edge diesel-electric equipment for underground mines.

This collaboration aims to enhance sustainability, efficiency and productivity in underground mining operations, Sandvik said.

Under the agreement, the companies will work together to optimise underground diesel-electric loaders and trucks. Through Perenti’s leading underground mining business, Barminco, the collaboration partnership will focus on improving Barminco’s operations and generating valuable insights and data to further refine Sandvik’s diesel-electric technology.

The initial phase of the collaboration involves establishing a shared vision for optimising Sandvik’s diesel-electric machines to meet Perenti’s requirements. Perenti will contribute to the machine design and provide feedback at various testing stages, including pre-factory testing, operational testing and trial testing.

Mark Norwell, Perenti Managing Director & CEO, welcomed the agreement, saying Perenti was excited to explore the full potential of diesel-electric solutions as part of its journey to decarbonisation.

“We are constantly looking for ways to improve the working environment and boost underground safety, efficiency and sustainability,” he said. “Diesel-electric equipment has the potential to do this. Collaborating with our partners is a critical step in the process, and we believe that working with Sandvik enables us to benefit from cutting-edge technology and also play a role in shaping the equipment that the wider industry will be using tomorrow. That’s good for us and it’s good for our customers.”

Mats Eriksson, President of Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions, emphasised that the mutual benefits of collaboration often do lead to better products – and safer, more efficient operations.

“Perenti, through its businesses including Barminco, is one of the world’s leading mining services providers, and can provide us with design suggestions and fantastic insights into real-world mining conditions,” he said. “Together, we can create equipment optimised for Perenti’s working conditions while also developing the most advanced diesel-electric machines available anywhere in the world.”

Diesel-electric mining equipment is seen by many within the industry as a way of achieving cleaner, more sustainable and more reliable mining, without the structural changes required for a fully-electric operation.

Diesel-electric machines typically have a diesel engine that drives a generator which, in turn, provides electricity to motors responsible for movement and operating equipment. Unlike conventional diesel, diesel-electric machines generally have no torque converter and fewer rotating components, allowing for a more flexible design, requiring less maintenance and enabling lower operating costs while maintaining high availability.

Sandvik first announced last year that it was moving ahead with developing a diesel-electric range of underground loaders and trucks to complement its leading battery-electric offering. The decision followed the showcasing of Sandvik’s Toro™ diesel-electric truck demonstrator to customers at a technology workshop in Turku, Finland in 2022. This demonstrator is on the booth at MINExpo 2024, in Las Vegas, this week.

Barminco secures underground contract extension with Barrick at Hemlo, Canada

Mine operation news, Mining services, Precious metals, , , , , ,

Perenti’s underground mining business, Barminco, has signed a three-year contract with Barrick Gold Corporation to continue contract mining at the Hemlo gold mine in Canada.

Hemlo is 350 km east of Thunder Bay in Ontario, Canada, and has been in production since 1989. In 2019, Barrick transitioned the operation to a contract mining model from owner operator, and Barminco has been the main underground contractor since. The contract is initially for 36 months, but also includes two 12-month options to extend. If these options are exercised, Barminco will be operating at Hemlo until 2029.

Under the terms of the existing contract, Barrick owns the current fleet of underground equipment and will procure any additional fleet required for the mine. This significantly reduces the capital intensity of the project for Barminco, it says. The total contract value is worth more than A$200 million ($132 million) and involves underground mine development, production and mining support services.

Mark Norwell, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of Perenti, said: “The continuation of our relationship with Barrick at the Hemlo gold mine for at least the next three years is another great example of how our Contract Mining team extends contracts over the life of a mine operation. The long-term nature of these relationships is built on a foundation of creating enduring value and certainty for our clients. This aligns our operational success with the goals of our clients and creates a collaborative working environment.

“The low capital intensity of this project is one of several capital light contracts we operate across the organisation, with our first capital light contract secured in 2018.”

Gabrielle Iwanow, President of Contract Mining at Perenti, added: “We are pleased to continue working with Barrick and demonstrating our leading underground capability in the North American market. Barrick is an important client for Barminco and we look forward to continuing to partner with them to deliver safe production at Hemlo.”

In Barrick Gold’s most recent June quarter results, it stated that Hemlo produced 37,000 oz of gold in the three-month period.

EML369 Multi-Load

An evolution in ‘hands free’ exploration drilling

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Evolution Drill Rigs out of Queensland, Australia, believes it has come up with a cost-effective and time saving solution to one of the most labour-intensive parts of the exploration drilling operation: handling drill rods.

Its Evolution EVO Multi-Load drill rod handling system is a true “hands free” diamond drill rod & casing handling and storage system, according to General Manager, John Slattery, explaining that it has been designed to work with most current exploration drill rigs, including the Evolution FH2000 & FH3000 and Sandvik DE840 & DE880 drills.

Evolution is not the first to come onto the market with a hands free rod handling system – readers may be thinking of Boart Longyear, Epiroc, Major Drilling, MEDATech Engineering’s Borterra division and others here – but Slattery is convinced the EVO Multi-Load system has the potential to make the biggest market impact.

“By choosing to design a system to work in conjunction with existing rig designs, the drilling contractors are able to utilise existing equipment with a few small changes,” he told IM. “Rather than invest in completely new drill rigs and handling systems, they can save significant capital outlay by investing in the EVO Multi-Load system.”

The other benefit of working with the existing rigs is the increased efficiency of rod tripping operations by using the existing rig main winch, he explained. “The ability to trip rods in 9-m lengths on deep holes during bit changes and ‘Navi-runs’ is a significant time saving method when compared to tripping rods in either 3-m or 6-m lengths as some other rod handling systems are limited to,” Slattery added.

The company already has one company speaking to these benefits too, with South32 recently running a 12-month trial of the EVO Multi-Load prototype at the Jessica and Cararra exploration projects in the Northern Territory of Australia. The company conducted this trial with its contract partner DDH1 Drilling, owned by Perenti, and said it was a “success” with plans to deploy the system on other South32 exploration projects in its 2025 financial year. South32 also provided funding to support Evolution’s prototype field trial and ensure the equipment was suited for ongoing use.

Slattery said the company’s ongoing testing of the prototype rig – in the workshop and the field – had led to an ongoing improvement plan ahead of commercialisation.

“Our engineering staff have worked closely with our customer DDH1 Drilling during the EVO Multi-Load development and our workshop team continued this during the testing phase and field trials,” he said. “We identified some areas for improvement during the workshop testing, which were incorporated into the rod loader prior to the field test: the sequencing of adding and removing rods from the loader has simplified the operation and helped with productivity.

“We have a few more updates in the pipeline to streamline the tripping process and increase overall productivity.”

This process has been aided by collaboration with DDH1 Drilling, according to Slattery, allowing the company to understand the contractor’s methods and requirements for handling rods during deep coring and directional drilling. “This allowed us to further develop our concept into a working prototype,” he said.

DDH1 Drilling’s experience with the use of several other types of drill rod handling system has allowed Evolution to benchmark operational cycle times against competitor products and confirm the productivity of the EVO Multi-Load system, he added.

Outside of the top head drive multi-purpose drills the Evolution system has already been designed to work on, there is the prospect of expanding this list further with a few small tweaks.

“In regions outside of our native Australia, such as Africa and South America, there is a large existing fleet of multi-purpose drills that could most likely use the system,” Slattery said.

This speaks to the faith Slattery has in the global potential of the system.

“We believe the majority of the drilling contractors and mining companies are interested in improving the operational safety around drilling projects in general, and drill rod handling is a big part of that,” he explained. “The EVO Multi-Load drill rod handling system has been designed around the needs of deeper core and directionally drilled holes, large volumes of drill rods, as well as the need to deal with different pipe and casing sizes. These more complex drilling programs are normally undertaken by the larger mining companies that have been calling for reduced human involvement in the drill rod handling process for some time.”

He concluded: “Our system has been designed to work with a range of rod and casing sizes and is flexible enough to be used on any brownfields exploration drilling program that involves the need to drill deep holes.”

Barminco to drive underground exploration plan at Spartan’s Dalgaranga gold project

Mineral project development, Mining services, Precious metals, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Perenti Limited says its Barminco business has been awarded a new development contract with Spartan Resources Ltd and extensions to four existing projects.

The scope of the Spartan Resources contract includes the construction of an underground exploration drill drive at the Dalgaranga gold project in the Murchison region of Western Australia. The drive has been designed to run in parallel and adjacent to the mineralised gold zones of Never Never, Pepper, Four Pillars and West Winds, to facilitate underground exploration and subsequently support future production plans.

Construction of the drive is due to start in the current quarter and is expected to take 10 months to complete. It will use a combination of existing capital equipment and an additional A$5 million ($3.3 million) of new growth capital.

The Dalgaranga project includes a fully-developed gold mining operation (currently on care and maintenance) and an extensive exploration landholding with outstanding opportunities for new discoveries, Spartan says. The open-pit mine was initially commissioned in 2018 and comprises a fully established gold mine, circa-2.5 Mt/y carbon-in-leach processing facility, modern camp accommodation and air strip. Dalgaranga produced 71,153 oz of gold for the 2022 financial year before being placed on care and maintenance in November 2022 to facilitate the implementation of a new strategic operating plan and a financial restructure. It was previously mined by NRW Holdings under an arrangement with mine owner Gascoyne Resources.

In February 2022, Spartan announced the details of a new 18-month exploration and strategic plan, underpinned by the Never Never gold deposit, targeting:

  • A -plus-300,000 oz reserve at a grade exceeding 4 g/t at Never Never;
  • A plus-600,000 oz resource at a grade exceeding 5 g/t at Never Never; and
  • The development of a five-year mine plan aimed at delivering 130-150,000 oz/y.

In addition to the Dalgaranga project, Perenti says extensions to contracts have also been signed for the following project:

  •  Siou and Wona underground at the Mana gold mine for Endeavour Mining plc in Burkina Faso;
  • An existing copper and gold underground mining project in Canada;
  • Spotted Quoll nickel mine for IGO Ltd in Australia;
  • Mt Colin copper mine for Aeris Resources Ltd in Australia.

In combination, these projects are expected to contribute approximately A$160 million of revenue to FY25. The project extensions do not require new growth capital, Perenti says.

Mark Norwell, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of Perenti said “The greenfield underground at Dalgaranga project is an exciting opportunity. The resource has the potential to grow into a high-grade gold mine
and we look forward to supporting Spartan Resources to achieve their targets during the months ahead.

“In addition, the four contract extensions are another example of the 90%+-plus success rate the Contract Mining division has in extending and renewing contracts. Maintaining client relationships is critical to our long-term success, so we always strive to find ways to deliver value to our clients when possible.”

Gabrielle Iwanow, President of Contract Mining at Perenti, said: “We are pleased to be working with Spartan Resources on the new underground Dalgaranga gold project in Western Australia. Barminco has a long history of working with Western Australian gold producers and we look forward to building an excellent relationship with their team as they advance towards production.

Barminco extends service stay at MMG’s Khoemacau copper mine

Base metals, Mine operation news, Mining services, , , , , ,

Perenti’s underground mining business, Barminco, has finalised discussions regarding the existing five-year mining services contract for the Khoemacau copper mine in Botswana with Khoemacau Copper Mining Proprietary Limited, a subsidiary of MMG Limited, it says.

Barminco has been operating at Khoemacau since the mine commenced in 2019, initially winning the services contract when the mine was owned by Cuprous Capital Ltd.

Barminco is working to deliver on the current mine plan while MMG explores potential expansion opportunities at Khoemacau, Perenti says.

The remaining contract value is circa-A$240 million ($162 million) with the existing contract set to continue, on revised terms, until June 30, 2025. Barminco will continue to provide underground development, production and mining support services at the mine.

Mark Norwell, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of Perenti said “We are pleased to continue working at Khoemacau. The expansion under consideration has the potential to supply increasing global demand for copper and we are proud to be working with MMG as they assess various future opportunities.”

Gabrielle Iwanow, President of Contract Mining at Perenti, said: “The continuation of this contract enables the Barminco team to continue working at Khoemacau under revised terms. The region surrounding the operations includes multiple resources beyond the current scope. Cumulatively, these resources have potential to support much higher production and maintain many years of mine life. We look forward to working with MMG to continue high quality operations at Khoemacau.”

The Electric Mine Consortium calls time as it looks for members to take the electrification lead

Environmental, Mining equipment, Mining services, Power supply for mines, Sustainable mining, , , ,

The Electric Mine Consortium has announced that it will “wrap up” on September 30, four years after the consortium was created with the aim to accelerate progress towards the fully electrified zero CO2 and zero particulates mine.

Made up of a group of leading mining and service companies, the EMC has made significant progress towards achieving this vision and has been a catalyst for significant change within the broader industry, it says.

It was built out of the State of Play report from 2020 simply titled, ‘Electrification’. The State of Play platform was initiated by VCI in partnership with The University of Western Australia; the report was sponsored by The Future Battery Industries Cooperative Research Centre, METS Ignited and Project 412. It covered extensive research aimed to understand the drivers and barriers of mine electrification, identify the key enabling technologies and enable collaboration to accelerate its adoption.

“With electrification kick-started, it has become clear that now is the time to pass the baton on to the individual companies and their leaders to continue the work,” the EMC says.

“The members are well placed to accelerate electrification. Roadmaps have been established and a deep understanding of the available technology is in place. Operational needs have become varied and specialised, so individual companies will drive their own bespoke partnerships and trials with suppliers.”

Given the advancements in technology, and the development of industry capability, it is now feasible to transition to an all-electric fleet, the EMC argues, referencing a white paper released by EMC members Perenti and IGO, along with ABB, in May.

The EMC added: “Members have worked collaboratively over the last few years to raise each other’s maturity levels. It is now up to each company to continue investing in their unique course of electrification.”

The EMC says it leaves a strong legacy of advancing electrification through the member aspirations it has influenced, the initiatives it has developed and the networks it has created.

Over 200 people from participant organisations have been involved in the EMC across many dozens of workshops and meetings annually. CEOs have gathered on multiple occasions to collectively understand the challenges and provide direction, while the EMC has liaised with a wide range of government agencies to help them understand industry needs, particularly in supporting the transition.

Some of the projects the EMC has delivered include:

  • Multiple supplier engagements, such as expressions of interest, to establish member understanding of key technologies across energy storage, energy management and all fleet types;
  • The identification of multiple simulation technologies applicable to mine design, through open-source challenges and supplier engagement, bringing capability to the industry;
  • The development of financial modelling for electric mine design for multiple member assets, demonstrating the electrification business case and design trade-off;
  • Undertaking over 50 member equipment trials across all fleet types, supplemented by an industry first data sharing platform, leading to accelerated equipment adoption;
  • Playing a lead role in progressing shared energy infrastructure in the broader Kalgoorlie Goldfields region; and
  • Introducing carbon measurement trialling resulting in the acceleration of direct tracking of emissions.

Moving forward, EMC companies are committed to continuing the journey through focused collaboration, building on the networks established through the EMC. Members will continue to work with suppliers to develop equipment and progress trials at their sites, according to State of Play. In the coming months members will also communicate how they will continue their electrification plans.

Ausdrill presents One Touch drilling

Automation, Explosives and blasting, Mining equipment, Mining services, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Ausdrill is bringing One Touch drilling to its Rock Commander blasthole fleet, in the process creating a future where drilling can be optimised for efficiency and precision with minimal manual intervention.

The company, part of Perenti, said the innovative technology is set to transform the way it drills, and the way its operators work.

With just a single touch of a button, a driller can pre-select the hole depth and the machine takes care of the rest. It will touch ground, collar the hole, and then drill down to the required depth, including changing rods and flushing the hole. This means there is no need for manual intervention except for potential finetuning, Ausdrill says.

“One Touch ensures every step is meticulously executed, prolonging component life and reducing wear and tear, making it a safe, highly efficient and cost-saving solution,” it added.

In a video promoting the launch, Luke Phillips, Area Manager, Drill & Blast Operations, said One Touch drilling sets Ausdrill apart from its competition: “We are bringing this technology that is essentially already existing in the marketplace to the world-class Rock Commander fleet.”

The move coincides with the recently awarded five-year contract at the Northern Star Resources-owned Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines (KCGM) Fimiston open-pit gold mine in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia.

The circa-A$160 million ($104 million), 60-month contract – the largest ever Australia surface mining contract Perenti has received – incorporates activities that commenced March 1, 2022, and will continue to March 2027. It includes the provision for up to 14 production blasthole drill rigs to support ongoing operations.

Phillips said One Touch drilling and the KCGM contract form an integral part of the Ausdrill technology roadmap.

“The stages thereafter will be a semi-autonomous approach to how we work, and mine and drill in and around underground work,” he said.

Ian Chisholm, a Driller at the Fimiston Open Pit, referred to the technology as “cruise control” for a drill rig.

“You just push the button and everything is done for you,” he said, adding that the rest of the process is made up of monitoring tasks.

Phillips added: “One Touch drilling benefits the client because it has the potential to remove human error in regards to rework or redrilling holes. [It also] reduces or removes damage because it is a semi-autonomous product, and it’s something that our trainees can engage with at an early grassroots stage.”

Related to this, SITECH WA, a provider of innovative technology solutions for mining operations in Western Australia, recently announced a strategic partnership with Ausdrill to introduce Trimble Groundworks machine guidance technology across Ausdrill’s Rock Commander fleet.

The integration was referred to as a milestone achievement for both companies, with the successful implementation of Groundworks on Rock Commanders at BHP WAIO laying the foundation for this partnership. The synergy between Rock Commander and Groundworks has solidified this decision, further influencing its adoption at KCGM’s Fimiston gold open pit (the Super Pit).

Trimble Groundworks boasts a user-friendly interface that enhances job site safety, accuracy and operational efficiency, according to the company. Operators of all skill levels can quickly adapt to and leverage the system’s capabilities, making it a powerful tool for mining professionals. Real-time spatial information provided by Groundworks also significantly enhances safety by alerting operators to exclusion zones and potential hazards.

One of the notable benefits of this integration is the elimination of the need for manual marking of drill patterns, resulting in substantial labour cost savings, the companies said.